We are not COBRA. For specific contract details about your current company policy, contact your health plan administrator.
In Reply to: Lose job: can change medical plan under COBRA? posted by Penny on February 24, 2003 at 10:51:14:
Penny:
there is no law that i know of stopping you from doing anything that is available to current employees in the plan.
In other words, if your co-workers currently employed by the company can change their plans right now, so can you. The plan that you are on at the time of the quaifying event, that is what's available to you.
However, your administrator is probably correct, you'd have to wait for open enrollment to change your options.
Also when you say your "out of pocket expenses" are you referring to your maximum out of pocket?
YOu usually get a lower premium for higher out of pocket, so before getting angry, find out what the COBRA premium will be for the $2400 out of pocket plan. If you are incurring those expenses now, i would protect heartily, but i don't know how much good it will do you. Maybe beg and plead, or at least ask very nicely.
If you are healthy, COBRA may not be the cheapest way to go. Get
your own health insurance with a lower premium.
Please respond if you have further questions and keep us updated on your situation,
: I just lost my job because my department is being eliminated. My last day is 2/28/03.
: Can I change my coverage to 'Med 75' from Med 80 under Cigna? If I am able to change it at the time I enroll in COBRA my out of pocket expenses will be $2400 instead of $6300.
: My employer told me that I can only change my medical coverage during the company's open enrollment period that is November of each year. I am told it is Federal law. IS THIS TRUE?!!!
: This doesn't seem fair since I did not know that my job was going to be eliminated last November.
: Is it true that medical coverage cannot be changed at the time of COBRA enrollment PER FEDERAL LAW or is it
: COMPANY POLICY?
: Thank you for your help!!!